Tiki Barber Again Bashing Giants' Coach Tom Coughlin

Chase Blackburn To Re-Sign With Giants

Desperate for help on defense the New York Giants are reportedly bringing back linebacker Chase Blackburn, who played with the team from 2005-10.

With Michael Boley sidelined the past two weeks with a hamstring injury the Giants have been relying heavily on rookies Mark Herzlich, Jacquian Williams, Spencer Paysinger and Greg Jones. Their inexperience has hurt the Giants in many instances, although each player has shown potential.

Herzlich also left Monday’s 49-24 loss to New Orleans with an injury, the extent of which is not yet known.

Blackburn played 93 games for the Giants during the six full seasons he was with the team, making 17 starts. He was the Giants’ special teams captain last season. Blackburn originally made the Giants as an undrafted free agent.

As the signing is not yet official, the Giants have not made any announcement, nor has there been any word on who will be dropped from the roster to make room for Blackburn.

Osi Umenyiora Injury Update: Defensive End 'Out For A While'

It appears that the New York Giants are going to have to try to make it back into the thick of the playoff race without defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who will be "out for a while" (via Ralph Vacchiano's twitter feed). Umenyiora, who was already battling a knee injury, left last night's game against the New Orleans Saints with an ankle injury. He missed the entire second half of the game. He only made one assisted tackle before he left the game.

Despite missing the first three games of the season due to arthroscopic surgery on his knee, Umenyiora entered the game against the Saints second on the Giants team in sacks with seven. Jason Pierre-Paul is the team leader with 10.5 sacks. In eight games (including seven starts) during the 2011 season, Umenyiora made 23 tackles (14 unassisted), forced 2 fumbles and defended one pass.

-- For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Big Blue View. 

Antrel Rolle Guarantees Giants Will Make Playoffs

According to Cool Standings, the New York Giants have just a 15.3 percent chance of making the NFL playoffs. Yet the statistical improbability of reaching the postseason does not phase Giants safety Antrel Rolle. During an interview with WFAN on Tuesday, Rolle guaranteed the Giants would make the playoffs.

"Absolutely. Absolutely, man," Rolle said on 660 AM radio. "Let me tell you something: We're going to fight. I don't care how we fight. I don't care what corner we back ourselves up into.

"And you know what, everyone might be off the Giants' bandwagon, which is fine. We've only had us from the beginning anyway."

The Giants' best chance to earn a postseason berth is to overtake the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East crown. New York has two games left against the 7-4 Cowboys this season, and could need to win both to have a chance. But Rolle doesn't see New York's low odds as an invitation to lay down for the rest of the season.

"I'm a fighter," he said. "I fought to the end last night, and I'm going to fight to the end of the season no matter which road it takes. We have to figure out at the end of the day, what's our purpose? What are we here for? Are we trying to be a playoff contending team or are we just going out there and going through the motions? ..."

"Everyone within the Giants organization needs to get together, coaches and players, and figure out what is going on and how do we stop this bleeding at the end of the day. Because, I don't know, clearly there is something wrong."

-- For more New York Giants coverage, visit our team page, or our blog Big Blue View. 

Giants Theme Song: Still Alive, Barely Breathing

Giants-Saints Reaction: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

The New York Giants' 49-24 loss on Monday Night Football to the New Orleans Saints was the team's third straight, putting the Giants annual second-half of the season collapse into full throttle.

Saints 49, Giants 24: New York Routed By Drew Brees, New Orleans

The New York Giants were no match for the New Orleans Saints Monday night. The Saints (8-3) compiled 577 yards en route to an overwhelming 49-24 victory over the reeling Giants (6-5) on Monday Night Football.

Drew Brees completed 24-of-38 passes for 363 yards and four touchdowns for New Orleans. The Saints also ran the ball for 205 yards. New Orleans scored seven touchdowns, including an 88-yard drive, three 80-yard drives and a 73-yard drive.

Eli Manning put up great numbers for the Giants, completing 33-of-47 passes for 406 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. At one point in the second half Manning completed 21 straight passes. His effort, though, was not nearly enough.

The Giants, once 6-2, have now lost three straight games and their playoff hopes are in serious jeopardy. The Giants are now one game behind the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East, and also one game behind the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions in the chase for a wild-card playoff berth. The Giants have the unenviable task of facing the 11-0 Green Bay Packers Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Playoffs Look Like A Pipe Dream For Giants

The first quarter was scoreless Monday night, but New Orleans scored on two 80-yard drives and an 88-yard drive in the second quarter while the Giants could only muster a field goal. That gave New Orleans a 21-3 halftime lead. The lead stretched to 35-10 after three quarters.

Victor Cruz provided a couple of highlights for the Giants, catching nine passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Cruz caught scoring strikes of 72 and four yards from Manning.

-- See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis

Giants Vs. Saints Score: New York Trails New Orleans 35-17 Early Fourth Quarter

The New York Giants went into the locker room at halftime trying to figure how to overcome the offense of Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.

So far, they haven't had much luck, and trail the home team 35-17 after three quarters of play.

New York had an early scare when Isa Abdul-Quddus drilled Hakeem Nicks, drawing a penalty and knocking the Giants wide receiver out of the game, albeit only temporarily.

Brandon Jacobs tried to get "Big Blue" back into the game on their opening drive, steamrolling his way into the end zone to pull the Giants back within 11, but it wouldn't last. Brees took matters into his own hands and ran one in to make it 28-10.

The Saints added insult to injury after Brees dropped one in for Jimmy Graham for a 29-yard score. As if the 35-10 score didn't tell the tale, New York botched a punt and turned the ball over to New Orleans as they entered the fourth quarter.

Giants first play of the quarter and Eli Manning finds Victor Cruz wide open to close it to 35-17.

Giants Vs. Saints Score: New York Trails New Orleans 21-3 At The Half

After 15 scoreless minutes, the New Orleans Saints were able to find the end zone three times in the second quarter and go up on the New York Giants 14-3 at halftime.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees found Lance Moore on the opening drive of the second to put the home team up 7-0 (thanks to an extra point from John Kasay).

The Giants were able to get on the board with three when Lawrence Tynes split the uprights from 42 yards out; however, New Orleans would make it an 11 point lead when Jimmy Graham caught a short pass and ran it in with no resistance.

Eli Manning would try to put together a drive as the clock was winding down but the Giants receivers just couldn’t hold on to the ball and the Giants were forced to punt. The Saints would need less than two minutes to score yet again, when Brees fired on into the arms of Moore for the second time.

New York, who closed out the half with a failed field-goal attempt from 61 yards, is going to have a lot to talk about in the locker room during halftime.

Giants Vs. Saints Score: New Orleans Leads New York 7-3 Early Second Quarter

The New York Giants took the field tonight at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Louisiana to take on the New Orleans Saints in Monday Night Football.

Early in the second quarter the Giants trail, 7-3.

New Orleans tried to get creative with a fake field-goal attempt as back-up quarterback Chase Daniels was the placeholder, connecting on a pass to tight end Jimmy Graham. The Giants were able to pick up the play and recover the ball on the 10-yard line.

The Saints were able to get on the board early in the second quarter when quarterback Drew Brees connected with wide receiver Lance Moore on a quick out from inside the five-yard line on third down.

Brees now has the second longest streak in NFL history, throwing a touchdown in 38 consecutive games. Giants were able to answer with a field goal but need to find the end zone to keep this thing competitive.

Giants-Saints Injury Report: Mario Manningham, Ahmad Bradshaw, Michael Boley Among Giants Inactives

The New York Giants have just released their inactives for tonight's game against the New Orleans Saints.

WR Mario Manningham, OT Will Beatty, LB Michael Boley, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, DB Derrick Martin, DT Jimmy Kennedy, OL James Brewer are all on the inactive list for the Giants.

The big name that Giants' fans wanted to hear about was wide receiver Mario Manningham, who has been battling a knee injury. Manningham was a game-time decision. Unfortunately, he's not playing in the game. Quarterback Eli Manning needed all the help he could get to try and defeat a Saints' team that was undefeated in the Superdome this season. Not having Manningham is a big blow to the Giants' chances. Manningham has 34 catches for 404 yards and 3 touchdowns in 9 games this season.

The Saints have also released their inactives for tonight's contest.

DE Turk McBride, RB Chris Ivory, LB Jonathan Vilma, DB Johnny Patrick, OT Will Robinson, TE Michael Higgins, WR Adrian Arrington are all inactive for the Saints.

Chad Jones: Inspiring Comeback Takes Another Step Monday Night

Giants (6-4) At Saints (7-3): Scouting The Saints

Giants Vs. Saints 2011: Time, TV Schedule, Radio Streaming And More

Eli Manning Week 12 Fantasy Projection: Giants QB Is 9th Best Option

If the New York Giants are going to avoid a second half skid and make the playoffs, Eli Manning will have to perform well down the stretch. That's easier said than done this week as the Giants are going into the Superdome to take on the New Orleans Saints. The Saints are 4-0 at home this season. New Orleans enters the game coming off of a bye week.

The Giants have lost their last two games and Manning has thrown three touchdowns and three interceptions in those outings. New York was close in both games but couldn't quite get the winning result. If the Giants are going to get back to their winning ways, they'll need to get a solid game from Manning in a tough environment.

Numberfire.com projects Manning to have the following numbers this week:

21.47/34.04, 254.40 yds, 1.64 TDs, 1.16 INTs for 15.50 pts

Those numbers would rank Manning as your 9th best quarterback option this week. He is behind the Saints' quarterback, Drew Brees, who is projected to be the 3rd best option.   

Michael Boley Injury Update: Giants Linebacker Out Vs. New Orleans Saints

MIchael Boley will not play Monday night for the New York Giants when they face the New Orleans Saints. According to a published report, Boley did not travel with the Giants Sunday when they flew to New Orleans.

Boley, who has a hamstring injury, also did not play last week for the Giants against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Without Boley, safety Deon Grant will again call the defensive signals for the Giants.

The Giants will also be without Ahmad Bradshaw again. The running back will miss his fourth consecutive game after suffering a cracked bone in his foot.

The Giants’ offensive line will also be re-shuffled as left tackle Will Beatty will miss the game after undergoing surgery for a detached retina.

With Boley out rookie Mark Herzlich made his first NFL start at linebacker for the Giants. Rookies Spencer Paysinger and Jacquian Williams also played a significant number of snaps for the Giants.

Michael Clayton Injury: Giants Place Receiver On Injured Reserve

The injuries continued to mount Saturday for the New York Giants when they were forced to place veteran wide receiver Michael Clayton on injured reserve after Clayton suffered a torn meniscus during practice. He will have surgery Monday.

To fill Clayton’s roster spot the Giants signed defensive end Justin Trattou off their their practice squad. Trattou, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound undrafted free agent, played in the Giants’ season opener, but was subsequently released and re-signed to the practice squad.

Clayton was signed earlier this season after Domenik Hixon suffered a season-ending knee injury. He also spent part of last season with the Giants.

Clayton appeared in five games for the Giants and did not catch a pass. He was used primarily on special teams and was credited with one special teams tackle.

— See Big Blue View for more discussion and analysis of the Giants as they prepare for Monday night’s game against the New Orleans Saints.

New York Giants Injury Update: Ahmad Bradshaw Out Again, Mario Manningham Questionable

The 6-4 New York Giants will travel to New Orleans on Monday night as they look to keep pace with the first place Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East with a win against the 7-3 New Orleans Saints. The Giants are once again banged up – as they have been all season long.

Here is Saturday's complete Giants-New Orleans Saints injury report:

New York Giants

T Will Beatty, Eye/Back...Out

LB Michael Boley, Hamstring...Doubtful

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Foot...Out

WR Mario Manningham, Knee...Questionable

WR Michael Clayton, Knee...Questionable

DB Derrick Martin, Hamstring...Out

T Kareem McKenzie, Toe...Probable

DE Justin Tuck, Ankle/Shoulder...Probable

DE Osi Umenyiora, Knee...Probable

RB D.J. Ware, Concussion...Probable

New Orleans Saints

DE Turk McBride ... Ankle ... Out

LB Jon Vilma ... Knee ... Questionable

DE Cameron Jordan ... Hand ... Probable

CB Patrick Robinson ... Stomach ... Probable

-- For the latest Giants news, follow the comprehensive Giants vs. Saints 2011 StoryStream on SB Nation New York and visit our Giants blog Big Blue View.

New York Giants Injury Update: Michael Boley, Ahmad Bradshaw, Mario Manningham Not Practicing

The New York Giants (6-4) had some key players not practicing on Friday as they continue to prepare for their big game against the New Orelans Saints (7-3) on Monday Night Football.

Will Beatty had surgery on Thursday and is out with no timetable set for his return to action. Michael Boley, Ahmad Bradshaw and Mario Manningham were all held out of practice on Friday due to injury. A piece of good news for the Giants is that running back D.J. Ware returned to practice on Friday, was not limited during practice and looks to be good to go for the game. He had a concussion last week in the Giants' 17-10 loss against the Eagles.

Here is Friday's complete Giants injury report:

T Will Beatty Eye/Back...Out

LB Michael Boley Hamstring...Did Not Practice
RB Ahmad Bradshaw Foot...Did Not Practice
WR Mario Manningham Knee...Did Not Practice
DB Derrick Martin Hamstring...Did Not Practice

T Kareem McKenzie Toe...Limited
DE Justin Tuck Ankle/Shoulder
DE Osi Umenyiora Knee

New York Giants Injury Update, Friday Morning: Will Beatty Has Surgery, Kareem McKenzie Misses Practice

New York Giants offensive tackle Will Beatty underwent surgery Thursday for the detached retina he was diagnosed with earlier in the week. There is no timetable yet for Beatty’s return to the lineup.

The Giants beleaguered offensive linemay have taken another hit this week as starting right tackle Kareem McKenzie did not practice Thursday due to a toe injury. There was no word from the Giants as to the severity of the injury.

With the Giants already having to shuffle the left side of their line, losing McKenzie would make a difficult situation even worse. Further word on McKenzie should come from the Giants today.

Here is Thursday’s complete Giants-New Orleans Saints injury report:

New York Giants

T Will Beatty, Eye/Back…Out

LB Michael Boley, Hamstring…Did Not Practice

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Foot…Did Not Practice

WR Mario Manningham, Knee…Did Not Practice

DB Derrick Martin, Hamstring…Did Not Practice

T Kareem McKenzie, Toe…Did Not Practice

DE Justin Tuck, Ankle/Shoulder…Did Not Practice

DE Osi Umenyiora, Knee…Limited

RB D.J. Ware, Concussion…Limited

New Orleans Saints

DE Turk McBride … Ankle … Did Not Practice

LB Jon Vilma … Knee … Limited

DE Cameron Jordan … Hand … Full

Will Beatty Injury Update: Beatty To Have Surgery For Detached Retina

The New York Giants’ struggling offensive line received a devastating blow this afternoon when the team announced that starting left tackle Will Beatty will undergo surgery on Thursday morning to repair a detached retina in his right eye. he procedure will be performed by Donald J. D’Amico, MD, Professor and Chairman of Ophthalmology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Ophthalmologist-in-Chief at the New York Presbyterian Hospital.

The Giants offensive line has struggled all season, and head coach Tom Coughlin was critical of the team’s blocking following Sunday’s 17-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

After the game Coughlin said the “offensive line was completely outplayed by the front eight of Philadelphia.”

Correcting that issue won’t be easier with Beatty out of the lineup. The third-year player from UConn took over this season as the starting left tackle, and has been the team’s most consistent lineman.

NFL Transactions: Giants Sign Will Blackmon, Place Michael Coe On IR

The Giants today exchanged cornerbacks on their roster, signing veteran Will Blackmon and placing Michael Coe on injured reserve.

Blackmon, 6-foot and 208 pounds, is a six-year veteran who played in five games for 2010 Giants after joining the team on Oct. 28. He led the team with a 6.7-yard punt return average on 14 runbacks. Blackmon also averaged 18.3 yards on 13 kickoff returns and was credited with one tackle on defense and one on special teams. He finished the season on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Blackmon came to the Giants after spending the first four years of his career with the Green Bay Packers. He was the Packers’ fourth-round draft choice in 2006, the 115th overall selection, from Boston College, where he was a teammate and close friend of Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. He played in 32 games with two starts for Green Bay, totaling 20 tackles (19 solo), two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Blackmon averaged 21.1 yards on 66 kickoff returns and 11.0 yards on 47 punt returns and scored three touchdowns. His best season was 2008, when he played all 16 games with one start, had 17 tackles (16 solo) and averaged 21.0 yards on 55 kickoff returns and was fourth in the NFC with an 11.1-yard average on 36 punt returns, including two for touchdowns.

Coe, a four-year veteran, played in all 10 games this season as a substitute defensive back and on special teams. He had four solo tackles and a pass defensed on defense and six tackles (five solo) on special teams.

Coe is the fifth Giants cornerback to be placed on injured reserve this year, joining Terrell Thomas, Bruce Johnson, Justin Tryon and Brian Witherspoon. In addition, first-round draft choice Prince Amukamara made his NFL debut Sunday against Philadelphia after missing the first nine games while recovering from a broken foot suffered on Aug. 6.

Ahmad Bradshaw, Michael Boley Injury Updates

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Wednesday he is uncertain as to whether or not injured running back Ahmad Bradshaw or linebacker Michael Boley will be available for practice by Friday, or for Monday night’s crucial game against the New Orleans Saints.

“I don’t know. I really don’t. I will base that on what the doctors tell me. Again there is progress being made but how much and how soon, those are things that are going to have to be determined,” Coughlin said. “I don’t really have the answer to that one. I wish I did, but I don’t.”

Bradshaw has a cracked bone in his foot and has not played in the Giants’ past three games. Boley has a hamstring injury and did not play Sunday against Philadelphia.

Coughlin said that left tackle Will Beatty had an MRI on his back that showed “nothing” and that right guard Chris Snee is recovering from food poisoning that affected him Sunday against the Eagles. He had not update on D.J. Ware (concussion) or Derrick Martin (torn hamstring).

Brandon Jacobs: 'It’s Up To [The Fans] Whether Or Not They Want To Boo'

Brandon Jacobs is talking again. The Giants meet the Saints on Monday Night Football but the running back is once again talking to the media about the New York fans, not the opposition.

Jacobs has struggled this season, along with the Giants running game in general, which head coach Tom Coughlin called "about as pathetic as it can get" after Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

On Wednesday, Jacobs was back to talking about the boo-birds with WFAN’s Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton:

"It's up to them whether or not they want to boo. And that’s what they do. No, I don't take anything back I said about not caring."

Jacobs wasn't done with the fans, adding "They’re great when you’re up … and they kick you when you’re down. Right now, I don’t think we’re down. I went them to cheer for us. I want them to be, I want our stadium to be super loud when the offense is out on the field."

Jacobs has been unhappy with Giants fans since getting booed in Week 8 against the Giants. In that game, Jacobs rushed four times for 10 yards, then said after the game: "I've got nothing positive to say. The most positive thing: I got family at home and I got a fast-ass car being delivered on Tuesday. That's it."

For the latest Giants news, follow the comprehensive Giants vs. Saints 2011 StoryStream on SB Nation New York and visit our Giants blog Big Blue View.

Antrel Rolle: New York Giants Were Not Ready Against Philadelphia Eagles

There's a difference between being well prepared for a game and being ready to play. After a disappointing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle told WFAN his team did not come to play.

"The game plan was excellent," Rolle told WFAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts on Tuesday. "Were we ready to play come Sunday? No."

Rolle said the Eagles were the tougher team on Sunday night, which was only made more disappointing because Rolle felt, and still feels, the Giants are the better team.

"I'm the kind of person, like, I'm gonna call a spade a spade," said Rolle. "The truth of the matter is, that team is a good team. And I respect the Eagles. ... But at the end of the day, do they compare to us? Maybe. Are they better than us? Not at all.

"And that's the thing that really gets under my skin, you know what I mean? We win as a team and we lose as a team, without a doubt. But give yourself a chance. You know what I mean? That team, there's no way we should have lost that game Sunday night. There's no way we should have lost a few of the games we lost at the end of the day. And it got to the point where, enough is enough, man."

Despite his obvious disappointment, Rolle remains confident that the Giants will regroup.

"We're gonna get it. We're a great team. We are a great football team," said Rolle. "And that's why I'm so upset, because I feel like we haven't gone out there and just played (like) we're a great team week in and week out. Why does every game, we got to come down to the last two minutes of the game?

"We're better than that, man. We're better than that. And as soon as we all get on the same page and understand and believe that we're better, you'll see a better Giants football team."

-- Listen to the full audio.

-- See Big Blue View for more about the Giants.

Justin Tuck: Giants' Defensive Captain Wonders If He Is Hurting The Team

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck has missed four games this season with neck and groin injuries, and has played at less than 100 percent in the six games in which he has participated.

The two-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro has just two sacks and 15 tackles in six games, following a season in which he had 11.5 sacks and a career-best 76 tackles. Tuck is considered the Giants’ best and most complete defensive player, but have his effort to play through the injuries actually hurt the 6-4 Giants?

Even Tuck himself admits to wondering about that, as he told Mike Francesa during an appearance on WFAN Monday.

“I play that through my head a lot. We got so much talent on this defensive line especially on the defensive line. That’s something I played through my head sometimes,” Tuck said. “I don’t think I am. I’ve asked coaches this. They’ve assured me that being out that football field that we are a better defense with me on the field … I am going out there to help the team win. If I can’t help win then I don’t need to be out there.”

Tuck drew criticism from former teammates Antonio Pierce and Michael Strahan when he sat out games earlier this season because was not healthy enough to contribute.

— Read the full interview transcript at Sports Radio Interviews

Giants At Saints: First Look